Microphone system and methods

ABSTRACT

The invention relates generally to a wireless microphone system and methods. The system may include one or more antennas, such as a monopole and dipole antennas, arranged within a housing. The housing may include a circuit boarding having a ground plane. The circuit board may be connected to a microphone configured to protrude from an opening of the housing. Further, a windshield including a bayonet-type connector may removably mount with a mount on the housing. Advantageously, the system may be configured to provide noise dampening and facilitate linking with other devices more efficiently and effectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. Pat. Application Serial No.17/183,173, filed Feb. 23, 2021, and which application is incorporatedherein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority ismade to the above-disclosed application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a wireless microphone system andmethods and more particularly to a microphone antenna system fordynamically recording and transmitting audio.

BACKGROUND

In some applications, wireless systems are used to transmit audio to aremote device. For example, wireless microphone systems are commonlyused in film, newsgathering, and gaming.

Conventional wireless microphone systems often include an audio receiverthat receives audio data from one or more wireless transmitters. Variousforms of analog to digital conversion and data compression are known tohelp facilitate transmission of audio data. Typically, wirelessapplications require long-term operation over minutes, hours, days, andmonths, and they require rapid, reliable, handling of large amounts ofdata.

High speed transmission of audio data, i.e., close to real time (lowlatency) is desirable, especially for synchronization of audio withvideo, but it has been difficult to obtain, and, with some of thetypical systems and methods, practically impossible to achieve.

Moreover, it is often difficult to provide desirable size and weight inportable systems along with good performance in long-term operationbecause, among other limitations, transmitters typically are batterypowered.

Systems such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. 9,336,307 have met with successin professional filmmaking, however, their power requirements, includingRF power, complexity, and cost can make them impractical for many users.

The Rode Wireless Go system, developed, made, and sold by Applicant, hasbeen popular with hobbyists and professionals alike for its compactsize, low power, and ease of use, however, it has certain limitations,such as limited transmission range.

One accessory sold with the latter system is a DeadCat synthetic furwindshield for shielding the transmitter from wind noise. Thatwindshield has been very popular, and it has spawned many imitations,however, many users have had difficulty keeping the windshield securelyattached, i.e., from falling off the transmitter.

In addition, conventional microphone systems often experience a drop insignal due to interference. Efforts to reduce and to remedy dropoutshave been made, but they have not been entirely successful, and theyhave tended to be overly complicated. Improvements to the range and thehandling of audio transmission in and between receiver and transmitterwould provide a variety of advantages to users.

Therefore, there is a need for a compact wireless microphone system thatfacilitates dynamically recording and transmitting audio. The presentinvention satisfies this need.

SUMMARY

The invention relates generally to a wireless microphone system andmethods and more particularly to a compact wireless microphone systemfor dynamically recording and transmitting audio.

In one aspect, the system includes a receiver configured to output audiovia one or more connector ports. The receiver may be linked to one ormore transmitter. Each transmitter may include an antenna and a circuitboard including a controller. The controller may be configured to obtainaudio data, for example, from a built-in microphone or a wiredmicrophone connected via an input port of the transmitter. In addition,a windshield may be secured to the housing of a transmitter via abayonet fastener to provide wind noise dampening.

Once audio is received, the controller may record the audio dataaccording to a processing path. A first processing path may includerecording the raw audio data. A second processing path may includecompressing, via an encoder, the audio data and recording the compressedaudio data. Simultaneously, the controller may transmit the compressedaudio to the receiver unit.

The controller may further be operative to monitor the wireless linkbetween the transmitter and receiver. In response to detecting a brokenconnection, the controller may, automatically or in response to a userinput, tag or mark the recorded audio to signify a dropout. In addition,the controller may be configured to record a peak audio file, which maybe a low resolution signal used to display a waveform corresponding tothe recorded data. The waveform may be used to output a visual the audiofile on a display. The output of the entire audio waveform allows formore efficient editing of the audio data and any corresponding markings.

The transmission of audio may be via one or more antennas of thetransmitter unit. The one or more antennas may be an inverted-F antennaand/or a folded dipole antenna. The folded dipole antenna may include ahorizontally polarized antenna array coupled to a vertically polarizedantenna array. Moreover, the antenna may be raised a predetermineddistance from a ground plane of a circuit board to provide a greatercommunication range. A slit in the circuit board may receive a portionof the antenna, which may be soldered to a connector element of thecircuit board.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been describedin detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit the invention to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in thefigures in the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary wireless microphone system includingtransmitter units and a receiver unit;

FIG. 1B illustrates the exemplary wireless microphone system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the transmitter unit of FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom view of the transmitter unit of FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of the transmitter unit of FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fastening mechanism of the transmitter unit ofFIGS. 1 for connecting a windshield;

FIG. 4A illustrates a circuit board and antenna of the transmitter unitof FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 4B illustrates a folded dipole antenna of the transmitter unit;

FIG. 4C illustrates a circuit board and dipole antenna of thetransmitter unit;

FIG. 5 illustrates mounting the circuit board and antenna within ahousing of the transmitter unit of FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of the receiver unit of FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of the receiver unit of FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 6C illustrates a top view of the receiver unit of FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary connection of the receiver unit to anexternal device;

FIG. 8A illustrates a circuit board and antennas of the receiver unit ofFIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 8B illustrates a dipole antenna of the receiver unit;

FIG. 8C illustrates a circuit board and dipole antenna of the receiverunit;

FIG. 9 illustrates mounting the circuit board and antenna within ahousing of the receiver unit of FIGS. 1 ;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of the transmitterunit;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustration a portion of the receiver unit;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustration portions of the transmitter unitand the receiver unit; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary operation fordynamically recording and transmitting audio.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a wireless microphone system andmethods and more particularly to a system and methods for dynamicallyrecording and transmitting audio.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like numerals represent likecomponents, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary wireless microphonesystem 100. As shown, wireless microphone system 100 includes at leastone transmitter unit 200 and a receiver unit 300. As shown in FIG. 1B,components of wireless microphone system 100 are compact so as to beeasily transported and stored, such as within pouch 104.

One or more transmitter units 200 may communicate with receiver unit 300via a wireless link 106. Wireless link 102 can facilitate datacommunication over a wireless medium, e.g., Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.21 familystandards), Bluetooth.RTM. (a family of standards promulgated byBluetooth SIG, Inc.), 2.4 GHz wireless protocols with 128 bit encryptionor other protocols for wireless data communication. Wireless link 106can be implemented using a combination of hardware (e.g., drivercircuits, antennas, modulators/demodulators, encoders/decoders, andother analog and/or digital signal processing circuits) and softwarecomponents. In some embodiments, wireless link 106 can includenear-field communication (“NFC”) capability, e.g., implementing theISO/IEC 18092 standards or the like; NFC can support wireless dataexchange between devices over a very short range (e.g., 20 centimetersor less). Multiple different wireless communication protocols andassociated hardware can be incorporated into transmitter units 200 andreceiver unit 300.

1.0 Exemplary Transmitter Unit 200

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, transmitter unit 200 may include a housing202, a microphone 204, an input port 206, and a connector interface 208.In addition, transmitter unit 200 may include a link indicator 210 and abattery indicator 212, each of which may be a light-emitting diode(LED). Housing 202 may be made of a a thermoplastic material, such aspolycarbonate-ABS having a lower carbon content or substantially nocarbon content.

Transmitter unit 200 may be a wearable device having a cube-shapedstructure. Other structures are contemplated and therefore the possiblewearable devices may include a ring, a wristwatch (also referred to as a“smartwatch”), a button or brooch which may include a pin for attachingto clothing, or a patch that may be sewn to, or into, clothing such as ashirt or blouse, etc. Other example wearable devices may include abracelet, a belt buckle, etc.

Transmitter unit 200 may range from about thirty millimeters to aboutsixty millimeters in length, and preferably between about fortymillimeters and fifty millimeters. In one embodiment, the transmitterunit 200 has an approximate length of about forty-four millimeters.

The height of transmitter unit 200 may range from about thirtymillimeters to about sixty millimeters, and preferably between aboutforty millimeters and fifty millimeters. In other words, it ispreferably less than sixty millimeters in height, and still morepreferably less than fifty millimeters in height. In one embodiment, thetransmitter unit 200 has an approximate height of about forty-fivemillimeters.

Transmitter unit 200 may range from about ten to about twenty fivemillimeters in width, and preferably between about fifteen millimetersand twenty millimeters. In other words, it is preferably less thantwenty five millimeters in width, and still more preferably less thantwenty millimeters in width. In one embodiment, the transmitter unit 200has an approximate width of about eighteen and a half millimeters.

The weight of transmitter unit 200 may range from about twenty grams toabout forty grams, and preferably between about twenty five grams andthirty five grams. In other words, the weight is preferably less thanforty grams, and still more preferably less than thirty five grams. Inone embodiment, the transmitter unit 200 has an approximate weight ofabout thirty grams.

1.1 External Components of Transmitter Unit 200

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various views of transmitter unit 200 including afront surface 216, a back surface 218, a top surface 220, a bottomsurface 222, and side surfaces 224. FIG. 2A illustrates a top view oftransmitter unit 200. Microphone 204 protrudes from a top surface 220 ofhousing 202. At other end of housing 202, bottom surface 222 oftransmitter unit 200 may include a power button 226.

As shown in FIGS. 2B-2C, back surface 218 of transmitter unit mayinclude a clip 214. Clip 214 may be an alligator clip for securing to,for example, an article of clothing, such as a shirt, or a sun visor ofa vehicle. While a clip is shown, other releasable connector types arecontemplated for securing to such articles.

As shown in FIG. 2C, side surface 224 includes a connector interface208. Connector interface 208 may communicate with various host devicesvia a wired communication path, e.g., using Universal Serial Bus (USB),universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), or other protocolsfor wired data communication. Such connection may provide for additionaladvanced features (e.g., playback audio, optimize audio, export ordelete recordings, switch between mono and stereo, activate a granulargain control mode, and the like) relating to transmitter unit 200. Insome embodiments, connector interface 208 can provide a power port,allowing transmitter unit 200 to receive power, e.g., to charge aninternal battery, such as a 3.8 V lithium ion battery.

Connector interface 208 can include a connector such as a mini-USBconnector or a custom connector, as well as supporting circuitry. Insome embodiments, the connector can be a custom connector that providesdedicated power and ground contacts, as well as digital data contactsthat can be used to implement different communication technologies inparallel; for instance, two pins can be assigned as USB data pins (D+and D-) and two other pins can be assigned as serial transmit/receivepins (e.g., implementing a UART interface). The assignment of pins toparticular communication technologies can be hardwired or negotiatedwhile the connection is being established. In some embodiments, theconnector can also provide connections for audio and/or video signals,which may be transmitted to or from an external device (not shown) inanalog and/or digital formats.

In certain embodiments, connector interface 208 may include a USB devicestack. USB device stack may be configured to perform USB Host OSdetection by means of heuristic analysis of enumeration sequence. Thismay enable providing different capabilities and configurations todifferent operating systems. For example, the system may be configuredto avoid exposing an iOS-specific interface, which may otherwise show upon a Window device as lacking a driver. In addition, the USB devicestack may facilitate reassigning limited endpoint resources within a USBcontroller to interfaces relevant to a particular operating system.

Moreover, connector interface 208 may include a USB audio stack. USBaudio stack may employ phantom terminal descriptors to, for example,work around unique limitations of certain Android implementationspreventing an input-only USB device from working with an Android systemaudio stack.

1.2 Microphone 204 of Transmitter Unit 200

As shown in FIG. 3 , transmitter unit 200 may include a microphone 204protruding from an opening 221 at top surface 220. Examples ofmicrophone 204 may include an omni-directional microphone, cardioidmicrophone, or supercardioid microphone.

An omni-directional microphone is a microphone with an even or equalresponse sensitivity to sound from all directions over a full 360°range. As such, the direction response pattern for an omni-directionalmicrophone as a function of location with respect to it is a uniformlevel, graphically full circle. A cardioid microphone is improved overan omni-directional microphone in that a cardioid microphone has maximumsensitivity in the forward direction and reduced sensitivity to soundsarriving from a side or rear direction with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the microphone. A supercardioid microphone has a directionresponse pattern more attenuated for sounds arriving from a sidedirection than a cardioid direction response pattern.

As shown, transmitter unit 200 may include an input port 206. Input port206 may be a 3.5 mm TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) connector for receivinganalog audio signals. The input port may be cylindrical in shape andprovide multiple channels. For example, input port 206 may include athree- or four-conductor version of the 2.5 mm or 3.5 mm to provide mono(three conductor) or stereo (four conductor) sound and a microphoneinput. It is noted that transmitter unit 200 is not necessarily limitedto the type, size, or configuration of the connector, so long as it issuitable for the system and applications disclosed and described.

1.3 Windshield 228

FIG. 3 further illustrates a windshield 228, which may be mounted ontransmitter unit 200. In particular, windshield 228 may be removablymounted around microphone 204 to provide wind noise dampening.Windshield 228 may include an acoustic liner having a first layer and asecond layer. First layer may be made of a foam or wind-guard materialand can be used to fill the interior of windshield 228. Second layer mayencompass the first layer and may be made of artificial, synthetic, fauxfur or other suitable material, with relatively long, flexible fibers,while remaining acoustical transparency, including any backing materialor fabric, which may be a thin, open material, so soundwaves traveleasily through it. The faux fur provides soft, absorptive, movablesurfaces, such that as wind contacts the fur, the fur moves, absorbingsome of the wind energy, with many strands of soft fur, presenting asurface area more than 10 times the device surface facing the fur, andmuch more flexible. These strands of fur produce micro-turbulence andabsorb energy silently and at a distance from the microphone.

For the system disclosed herein, the fibers may range in length fromabout 1 mm to about 50 mm, preferably from about 1 mm to about 30 mm,with the strands being shorter at the outside and increasing in lengthtoward the center of the windshield. The faux fur may be made of anyacceptable composition, such as polymers, examples being polyester,acrylic, or the like, including blends, having the properties describedabove, as will be understood by those of skill in the art.

Further, windshield 228 may include a fastener 230 made of a siliconematerial or any other suitable material to form an air-tight sealbetween windshield 228 and microphone 204.

As shown, fastener 230 may be a bayonet fastener including two or morearced ridges 231 and two or more L-shaped female slots 232. Arced ridges231 may be adapted to receive corresponding ball locks 233 extendingfrom top surface 220 of housing 202. In operation, arced ridges 231 arelowered right down against ball locks 233 and caused to turn so that theball locks 233 engage arced ridges 231.

Female slots 232 may be adapted to receive corresponding two or morebayonet pins 234 on housing 202. In operation, the female slots 232 arelowered right down against pins 234 and caused to turn so that the pins234 engage the slots 232.

Slots 232 may be spaced across opening 221 having a diameter betweenabout ten millimeters and about millimeters and in one embodiment mayhave a diameter of about sixteen millimeters. Length of each slot 232 isbetween about five millimeters and about ten millimeters and in oneembodiment may have a length of about seven millimeters. Pins 234 may bebetween about two mm and about seven millimeters long and in oneembodiment may have a length of about four millimeters. In otherembodiments, it is contemplated that the windshield may have pins andthe housing may have slots.

1.4 Internal Components of Transmitter Unit 200

FIGS. 4A, 4C, 5 illustrate a circuit board 236 of transmitter unit 200.Circuit board 236 may have a thickness ranging between about half amillimeter and two millimeters, and preferably be about one millimeter.In other words, circuit board 236 preferably may have a thickness lessthan two millimeters.

Circuit board 236 includes a ground plane 238. Circuit board 236 may bea printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible PCB. Flexible PCBs can beentirely flexible or can contain both flexible and rigid regions, wherethe rigid regions can be made of standard, rigid PCB materials withconnections to the flexible portions of the overall PCB.

The flexible substrate can provide electrical traces, electricalconnections and/or electrical pads on one or both primary surfaces ofthe flexible substrate. Examples of components that may communicate overone or more communication buses or signal lines of circuit board 236 mayinclude a memory (which optionally includes one or more computerreadable storage mediums), memory controller, one or more processingunits, peripherals interface, RF circuitry, audio circuitry, microphone,input/output (I/O) subsystem, other input or control devices, andexternal ports.

Circuit board 236 may be rectangular with rounded corners and include acut-out portion 241 for an antenna 242, as described below. In oneembodiment, circuit board 236 is substantially square. Each lineardimensions of circuit board 236 may range from about twenty millimetersto about sixty millimeters in length, and preferably between aboutthirty millimeters and about fifty millimeters, and more preferablyabout forty millimeters. In other words, each linear dimension ispreferably less than about sixty millimeters and still more preferablyless than about fifty millimeters. Each linear dimension of circuitboard 236 may correspond to and substantially fill the correspondinglinear dimensions of the housing 202. Thus, circuit board 236 may fillat least approximately 90% of the corresponding internal lineardimensions of housing 202.

1.5 Antennas of Transmitter Unit 200

Transmitter unit 200 may include one or more antennas configured to, forexample, transmitting an audio signal to receiver unit 300. Antennas oftransmitter unit 200 may be made of a copper and/or thermoplasticmaterial, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) having a lower carbon contentor substantially no carbon content.

The one or more antennas may be a monopole antenna 240 and a foldeddipole antenna 242. Antennas 240, 242 may be of different polarizations(horizontal/vertical) for adapting without losing performance due to thephysical orientation of the transmitter unit 200. The system may use adiversified antenna approach to actively scan and select the antennathat receives the strongest signal and operates within the leastcongested frequency band, such as the 2.4 GHz band.

Monopole antenna 240 may be an inverted-F antenna running parallel toground plane 238 and grounded at one end. The polarization of monopoleantenna 240 may be vertical, and the radiation pattern may be roughlytorus or donut shaped.

As shown, circuit board 236 may include a slit 244 for receiving adipole antenna 242. More specifically, dipole antenna 242 may beconfigured to fit inside slit 244 formed within circuit board 236. It iscontemplated that dipole antenna 242 may include connector portions 246that soldered to, for example, corresponding regions on either side ofcircuit board 236.

Dipole antenna 242 may be disposed substantially opposite connectorports of the transmitter unit 200 and on an edge of circuit board 236.

As shown in FIG. 4B, folded dipole antenna 242 may comprise of a firstconductive element 243 and a second conductive element 245 connected bya coupler 247.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, dipole antenna 242 may be folded so thatL-shaped conductive elements 243, 245 are positioned on either side ofground plane 238, thereby conserving space within transmitter unit 200while maximizing antenna size.

Each conductive element 243, 245 may be L-shaped and may include atapered end. As shown, width (shown as W₁) of tapered end may rangebetween about three millimeters and about five millimeters, andpreferably between about three and a half millimeters and fourmillimeters, and in one embodiment may be about three and seven tenthsmillimeters.

As shown in FIG. 4B, horizontal legs 243 a, 245 a of each conductiveelement 243, 245 of folded dipole antenna 242 may have a length (shownas L₁) ranging between about ten millimeters and about thirtymillimeters, and preferably between about fifteen millimeters and twentymillimeters. In one embodiment, the length L₁ is about seventeenmillimeters. Each leg 243 a, 245 a may be positioned substantiallyparallel to ground plane 238 and each may be spaced a predetermineddistance above or below ground plane 238.

The distance between legs 243 a and 245 a, when folded and positionedwith respect to ground plane 238, may range between about fivemillimeters and about fifteen millimeters, and preferably be about tenmillimeters. Cut-out 241 may eliminate circuit board material betweenlegs 243 a, 245 a and thereby reduce interference.

As shown in FIG. 4B, vertical leg 243 b, 245 b of each conductiveelement 243, 245 of folded dipole antenna 242 may have a length (shownas L₂) ranging between about five millimeters and fifteen millimeters,and preferably between about seven millimeters and ten millimeters. Inone embodiment, the length L₂ is about eight and a half millimeters.Each leg 243 b, 245 b may be positioned substantially normal to groundplane 238 and extends a predetermined distance from ground plane 238.

Folded dipole antenna 242 may be a polarized antenna array. It iscontemplated that antenna 242 may include a plurality of horizontallypolarized antenna arrays coupled to a vertically polarized antennaarray. The vertically polarized antenna array may generate a radiationpattern substantially perpendicular to a radiation pattern generated byone of the horizontally polarized antenna arrays.

The arrangement of dipole antenna 242 provides for a better link in alldirections and a greater communication range, substantially greater than250 feet (about 75 meters) and in certain embodiments about 650 feet(about 200 meters) of range in, for example, line of sight conditions.In other words, the range of transmission provided by folded dipoleantenna 242 and system 100 is preferably between about 100 feet (about30 meters) and about 1500 feet (about 460 meters), still more preferablybetween about 250 feet (about 75 meters) and about 1,000 feet (about 300meters).

As illustrated in FIG. 4C, folded dipole antenna 242 in transmitter unit200 may be decoupled (i.e., positioned at a height) from either side ofground plane 238. The distance between dipole antenna 242 and groundplane 238 may range between about one millimeter and about tenmillimeters. In one embodiment, folded dipole antenna 242 may bepositioned on circuit board 236 such that first conductive element 243of dipole antenna 242 may be distanced (shown as D₂) between about sevenmillimeters and about eight millimeters, in one embodiment about sevenand a half millimeters, from ground plane 238, and second conductiveelement 245 of dipole antenna 242 may be distanced (shown as D₁) betweenabout one millimeter and about two millimeters, in one embodiment aboutone and a half millimeters, from ground plane 238. The separation fromground plane 334 may decrease signal loss and thereby lower the rate ofdropout error.

1.6 Power System of Transmitter Unit 200

As shown in FIG. 5 , a power system 248 is mounted within housing 202 oftransmitter unit 200. Power system 248 may be used for powering thevarious components of transmitter unit 200. Power system 248 may includea power management system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery,alternating current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failuredetection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power statusindicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) and any other componentsassociated with the generation, management and distribution of power intransmitter unit 200.

A battery 250 of transmitter unit 200 may be a lithium ion polymerrechargeable battery. In certain embodiments, battery 250 is a 3.8 V 350mAh 1.33 Wh Tenergy Model 34363 T battery.

A height of battery 250 may range between about fifteen millimeters andthirty millimeters, and preferably between about twenty millimeters andtwenty five millimeters. In one embodiment, the height of battery 250 isabout twenty two millimeters.

A length of battery 250 may range between about ten millimeters andtwenty five millimeters, and preferably between about fifteenmillimeters and twenty millimeters. In one embodiment, the height ofbattery 250 is about eighteen millimeters.

2.0 Exemplary Receiver Unit 300

Referring back to FIGS. 1 , wireless microphone system 100 includes areceiver 300. Receiver 300 may include a housing 302, a display 304, anoutput port 306, and a connector interface 308. Receiver unit 300 may bea wearable device, like transmitter unit 200, or structured forattaching to an external device, as detailed below. Housing 302 may bemade of a thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate-ABS having alower carbon content or substantially no carbon content.

Receiver unit 300 may range from about thirty millimeters to about sixtymillimeters in length, and preferably between about forty millimetersand fifty millimeters. In one embodiment, the receiver unit 300 has anapproximate length of about forty-four millimeters. In other words,receiver unit 300 may have a length less than sixty millimeters andpreferably less than fifty millimeters.

The height of receiver unit 300 may range from about thirty millimetersto about sixty millimeters in length, and preferably between about fortymillimeters and fifty millimeters. In one embodiment, the receiver unit300 has an approximate height of about forty-six millimeters.

Receiver unit 300 may range from about ten to about twenty fivemillimeters in width, and preferably between about fifteen millimetersand twenty millimeters. In other words, receiver unit 300 may have awidth less than twenty five millimeters and preferably less than twentymillimeters. In one embodiment, the receiver unit 300 has an approximatewidth of about eighteen and a half millimeters.

The weight of receiver unit 300 may range from about twenty grams toabout forty grams, and preferably between about twenty five grams andthirty five grams. In other words, weight may be less than forty gramsand preferably less than thirty five grams. In one embodiment, thereceiver unit 300 has an approximate weight of about thirty grams.

2.1 External Components of Receiver Unit 300

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate various views of receiver unit 300 including afront surface 310, a back surface 312, a top surface 314, a bottomsurface 316, and side surfaces 318.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of transmitter unit 300. As shown, frontsurface 332 includes display 304. Display 304 may be a liquid crystaldisplay, an organic light-emitting diode display, an electrophoreticdisplay, an electrowetting display, or any other suitable type ofdisplay. Display 304 may be a touch screen display (e.g., a display thatincorporates touch sensor) or may be insensitive to touch.

Display 304 may output various types of contents, such as an image, amoving picture, text, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 , display 304may be configured to output certain information relating to thetransmitter unit 200 and receiver unit 300 including, but not limitedto, battery levels, signal strength, audio input levels, audio channels,and the like.

Further, receiver unit 300 include various selectable buttons relatingto features of the system 100. Top surface 314 includes a power button320 for turning on and off the receiver unit 300.

Bottom surface 316 of receiver unit 300 includes a control button 322and a link button 324. Control button 322 may reduce the decibel outputfrom the receiver unit 300 to an external device. For example, a usermay press control button 322 to engage a -24 dB pad, then upon a secondpress reduce the attenuation to just a -12 dB pad (midway between -24 dBand 0 dB) then pressing again will bring it back to the full outputlevel (no attenuation) at the 0 dB setting.

Moreover, a user may activate an advanced mode for additional granulargain control, which may include adjusting from 0 dB all the way down to-30 dB in, for example, -3 dB increments. This may operate in a roundrobin, cycling through all available gain steps through use of controlbutton 322. In other embodiments, adjusting the gain may be achieved in1 dB increments and/or may include additional or alternative choices ofcontrol buttons, such as a “+” button and “-” button (not shown).

In addition, receiver unit 300 may include a safety channel whenrecording in mono audio mode. The safety channel may be used to create acopy of a mono audio signal from one or more transmitters at a lowerlevel. In certain embodiments, the safety channel may facilitatechoosing to create an audio signal from a specific transmitter unit beat a lower decibel level.

A user can engage link button 324 to commence a pairing procedure orconnection procedure, depending on the wireless technology employed,between the receiver unit 300 and transmitter unit 200.

As shown in FIG. 6B, back surface 312 of transmitter unit may include aclip 312. Clip 312 may be a shoe clip, such as a hot-shoe clip or acold-shoe clip, for securing to an external device. For example, asshown in FIG. 7 , clip 322 may be used to secure to a shoe mount 328 ofcamera 330. Additional external devices that receiver unit may connectto include a smartphone, table, laptop, and the like. While a clip isshown, other connections are contemplated.

As shown in FIG. 6C, side surface 318 includes connector interfaces 314.Connector interfaces 314 communicate with various host devices via awired communication path, e.g., using Universal Serial Bus (USB),universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), or other protocolsfor wired data communication. In some embodiments, connector interfaces214 can provide a power port, allowing receiver unit 300 to receivepower, e.g., to charge an internal battery.

Connector interfaces 314 can include a connector such as a 3.5 mm TRS(tip, ring, sleeve) or TRRS (tip, ring, ring sleeve) connector, a USBconnector. mini-USB connector or a custom connector, as well assupporting circuitry. In some embodiments, the connector can be a customconnector that provides dedicated power and ground contacts, as well asdigital data contacts that can be used to implement differentcommunication technologies in parallel; for instance, two pins can beassigned as USB data pins (D+ and D-) and two other pins can be assignedas serial transmit/receive pins (e.g., implementing a UART interface).The assignment of pins to particular communication technologies can behardwired or negotiated while the connection is being established. Asshown in FIG. 7 , the connector interface 308 may provide connectionsfor audio and/or video signals, which may be transmitted to or from anexternal device, such as camera 330, in analog and/or digital formats.

In certain embodiments, connector interface 314 may include a USB devicestack. USB device stack may be configured to perform USB Host OSdetection by means of heuristic analysis of enumeration sequence. Thismay enable providing different capabilities and configurations todifferent operating systems. For example, the system may be configuredto avoid exposing an iOS-specific interface, which may otherwise show upon a Window device as lacking a driver. In addition, the USB devicestack may facilitate reassigning limited endpoint resources within a USBcontroller to interfaces relevant to a particular operating system.

Moreover, connector interface 314 may include a USB audio stack. USBaudio stack may employ phantom terminal descriptors to, for example,work around unique limitations of certain Android implementationspreventing an input-only USB device from working with an Android systemaudio stack.

2.2 Internal Components of Receiver Unit 300

FIGS. 8A, 8C, 9 illustrate a circuit board 332 of receiver unit 300.Circuit board 332 includes a ground plane 334. Circuit board 332 mayhave a thickness ranging between about half a millimeter and twomillimeters, and preferably be about one millimeter.

Circuit board 332 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexiblePCB. Flexible PCBs can be entirely flexible or can contain both flexibleand rigid regions, where the rigid regions can be made of standard,rigid PCB materials with connections to the flexible portions of theoverall PCB.

The flexible substrate can provide electrical traces, electricalconnections and/or electrical pads on one or both primary surfaces ofthe flexible substrate. Examples of components that may communicate overone or more communication buses or signal lines of circuit board 332 mayinclude a memory (which optionally includes one or more computerreadable storage mediums), memory controller, one or more processingunits, peripherals interface, RF circuitry, audio circuitry, microphone,input/output (I/O) subsystem, other input or control devices, andexternal ports.

Circuit board 332 may be rectangular with rounded corners and include acut-out portion 335 for an antenna 338, as described below. In oneembodiment, circuit board 332 is substantially square. Each lineardimensions of circuit board 332 may range from about twenty millimetersto about sixty millimeters in length, and preferably between aboutthirty millimeters and about fifty millimeters, and more preferablyabout forty millimeters. In other words, each linear dimension ispreferably less than about sixty millimeters and still more preferablyless than about fifty millimeters. Each linear dimension of circuitboard 332 may correspond to and substantially fill the correspondinglinear dimensions of the housing 302. Thus, circuit board 332 may fillat least approximately 90% of the corresponding internal lineardimensions of housing 302.

2.3 Antennas of Receiver Unit 300

Receiver unit 300 may include one or more antennas configured to, forexample, receive an audio signal from transmitter unit 300. Antennas ofreceiver unit 300 may be made of a copper and/or thermoplastic material,such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) having a lower carbon content orsubstantially no carbon content.

The one or more antennas may be a monopole antenna 336 and a foldeddipole antenna 338. Antennas 336, 338 may be of different polarizations(horizontal/vertical) for adapting without losing performance due to thephysical orientation of the receiver unit 300. The system may use adiversified antenna approach to actively scan and select the antennathat receives the strongest signal and operates within the leastcongested frequency band, such as the 2.4 GHz band.

Monopole antenna 336 may be an inverted-F antenna running parallel toground plane 334 and grounded at one end. The polarization of monopoleantenna 336 may be vertical, and the radiation pattern may be roughlytorus or donut shaped.

As shown, circuit board 332 may include a slit 340 for receiving afolded dipole antenna 338. More specifically, folded dipole antenna 338may include a connector portion 348 that is configured to fit insideslit 340 formed within circuit board 332. It is contemplated that foldeddipole antenna 338 may include connector portions 342 soldered to, forexample, corresponding regions on either side of circuit board 332.

Dipole antenna 338 may be disposed substantially opposite connectorports of the receiver unit 300 and on an edge of circuit board 332.

As shown in FIG. 8B, folded dipole antenna 338 may comprise a firstconductive element 339 and a second conductive element 341 connected bya coupler 343. The distance between each conductive element 339, 341 mayrange between about five millimeters and about fifteen millimeters, andpreferably be about ten millimeters.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, dipole antenna 338 may be folded so thatL-shaped conductive elements 339, 341 are positioned on either side ofground plane 334, thereby conserving space within receiver unit 300while maximizing antenna size.

Each conductive element 339, 341 may be L-shaped and may include atapered end. As shown, width (shown as W₂) of tapered end may rangebetween about three millimeters and about five millimeters, andpreferably between about three and a half millimeters and fourmillimeters, and in one embodiment may be about three and seven tenthsmillimeters.

As shown in FIG. 8B, legs 339 a, 341 a of each conductive element 339,341 of folded dipole antenna 338 may have a length (shown as L₃) rangingbetween about ten millimeters and about thirty millimeters, andpreferably between about fifteen millimeters and twenty millimeters. Inone embodiment, the length L₃ is about seventeen millimeters. Each leg339 a, 341 a may be positioned substantially parallel to ground plane334 and each may be spaced a predetermined distance above or belowground plane 334.

The distance between legs 339 a and 341 a, when folded and positionedwith respect to ground plane 334, may range between about fivemillimeters and about fifteen millimeters, and preferably be about tenmillimeters. Cut-out 335 may eliminate circuit board material betweenlegs 339 a, 341 a and thereby reduce interference.

As shown in FIG. 8B, another leg 339 b, 341 b of each conductive element339, 341 of folded dipole antenna 338 may have a length (shown as L₄)ranging between about five millimeters and fifteen millimeters, andpreferably between about seven millimeters and ten millimeters. In oneembodiment, the length L₄ is about eight and a half millimeters. Eachleg 339 b, 341 b may be positioned substantially normal to ground plane334 and extends a predetermined distance from ground plane 334.

Dipole antenna 338 may be a polarized antenna array. It is contemplatedthat dipole antenna 338 may include a plurality of horizontallypolarized antenna arrays coupled to a vertically polarized antennaarray. The vertically polarized antenna array may generate a radiationpattern substantially perpendicular to a radiation pattern generated byone of the horizontally polarized antenna arrays.

As illustrated in FIG. 8C, folded dipole antenna 338 in receiver unit300 may be decoupled (i.e., positioned at a height) from either side ofground plane 334. The distance between dipole antenna 338 and groundplane 334 may range between about one millimeter and a ten millimeters.In one embodiment, folded dipole antenna 338 may be positioned oncircuit board 332 that a first conductive element 339 of dipole antenna338 is distanced (shown as D₃) between about one millimeter and abouttwo millimeters from ground plane 334, and the second conductive element341 of dipole antenna 338 is distanced (shown as D₄) is distancedbetween about seven millimeter and about eight millimeters from groundplane 334. The separation from ground plane 334 may decrease signal lossand thereby lower the rate of dropout error.

2.4 Power System of Receiver Unit 300

As shown in FIG. 9 , a power system 344 is mounted within housing 202 ofreceiver unit 300. Power system 344 may be used for powering the variouscomponents of receiver unit 300. Power system 344 may include a powermanagement system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternatingcurrent (AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, apower converter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., alight-emitting diode (LED)) and any other components associated with thegeneration, management and distribution of power in receiver unit 300.

A battery 346 of receiver unit 300 may be a lithium ion polymerrechargeable battery. In certain embodiments, battery 346 is a 3.8 V 350mAh 1.33 Wh Tenergy Model 34363 R battery.

A height of battery 346 may range between about fifteen millimeters andthirty millimeters, and preferably between about twenty millimeters andtwenty five millimeters. In one embodiment, the height of battery 346 isabout twenty two millimeters.

A length of battery 346 may range between about ten millimeters andtwenty five millimeters, and preferably between about fifteenmillimeters and twenty millimeters. In one embodiment, the height ofbattery 346 is about eighteen millimeters.

3.0 Exemplary Block Diagrams

FIG. 10 is a block diagram 400 of transmitter unit 200. FIG. 11 is ablock diagram 500 of receiver unit 300. FIG. 12 is a block diagram 600of an exemplary wireless microphone system.

3.1 Exemplary Block Diagram 400 of Transmitter 200

As shown in FIG. 10 , transmitter unit 200 may include a mic preamp 402,an analog to digital converter (ADC) 404, an audio digital signalprocessor (DSP) 406, a controller 408, a radio module 410.

Mic preamp 402 may be a low noise amplifier with low-voltage operation.Mic preamp 402 may be formed of a field-effect transistor and/or abipolar junction transistor, such as a PNP transistor. The amplificationof audio may be performed to the optimum input necessary. A variableresistor of the mic preamp may facilitate adjusting gain.

ADC 404 may receive a pre-amplified analog audio signal 401 output frompreamp 402. ADC 404 may include any suitable system device or apparatusconfigured to convert the pre-amplified analog audio signal received atits input to a digital signal representative of the analog audio signal.ADC 404 may itself include one or more components including, but notlimited to, a delta-sigma modulator and a decimator.

Once converted, the digital signal may be transmitted over significantlylonger distances without being susceptible to noise as compared to ananalog transmission over the same distance.

DSP 406 may include any suitable system, device, or apparatus configuredto process the digitized signal for use in a digital audio system. Forexample, DSP 406 be configured to interpret and/or execute programinstructions and/or process data.

Controller 408 may receive the digitized audio signal from DSP 406.Controller 408 may include an encoder 414, a recorder 416, and arealtime clock 418. Encoder 414 may be configured to compresses theaudio signal. For example, the signal may be compressed to one half orless using a logarithmic compression.

Recorder 416 may be configured to record the audio signal according to aprocessing path via a switching arrangement of the transmitter unit 200.A first processing path includes recording the raw audio signal prior tocompression. A second processing path includes compressing the audiosignal, via encoder 414, and recording the compressed audio signal.

Further, recorder 416 may record a peak audio file. Peak audio files mayinclude a low resolution signal that indexes the shape of the audiowaveform to aid in displaying the waveform via, for example, a softwarecomponent of the system. In other words, the peak audio file may be usedto output a visual the audio file on a display. The output of the entireaudio waveform allows for more efficient editing of the audio.

The recording, either according to the first processing path or thesecond processing path, may then be tagged through on realtime clock418. In particular, realtime clock 418 may monitor temporal information,such as the day, date, hour, minute, and second the recording wasstarted and stopped. That information is then used to tag the audiosignal and/or the peak file. For example, the system may, automaticallyor in response to a user input, mark a portion of the audio file toidentify audio dropouts.

The tagged audio recording may then be stored in a memory 420. Memory420 may be any suitable non-volatile, non-transitory, memory such as, ahigh-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or otherrandom access solid state memory devices; and optionally includesnon-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices,optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or othernon-volatile solid state storage devices.

As shown in FIG. 10 , transmitter unit 200 may utilize the same audiodata, compressed or raw audio, for both recording and transmitting viaradio antenna 410, which is described in further detail below.

3.2 Exemplary Block Diagram 500 of Receiver 300

As shown in FIG. 11 , receiver unit 300 may include a radio module 502,a decoder 504, DSPs 506, 508 corresponding to the channel of the audiodata, digital to analog converters (DAC) 510, 512, and digital outputcircuitry 514.

Radio antenna 502 is configured to receive digitized audio data fromtransmitter 200, as detailed below. Decoder 504 may receive the audiodata and be configured to decode the audio compression codeccorresponding to encoder 414.

As shown, the audio data may then be directed to a DSP 506, 508corresponding to the channel of the recording, e.g., the transmitterunit the audio was received from. DSP 508 corresponds to Channel 2 andmay be used when receiver unit is linked to a second transmitter unit.If a second transmitter unit is linked, audio may be received from theleft and right channel separately, or mixed together in mono. If mixedtogether into mono, the safety channel may be available on the rightchannel. The outputs may be left and right from, for example, a TRSanalogue output, or channel 1 and 2 of the USB digital audio output (USBdigital output does not pass through a DAC). DSPs 506, 508 may includeany suitable system, device, or apparatus configured to process theaudio data for output. For example, DSPs may facilitate processing theaudio in realtime to provide equalization, compression, and the like.

DACs 510, 512 may receive the digitized audio from a corresponding DSP506, 508. DACs 510, 512 may include any suitable system device orapparatus configured to convert the digitized audio received to ananalog format for output 516 to an external device.

Digital output circuitry 514 may be adapted for coupling directly toother devices or indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wirelessLAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g.,30-pin) connector or USBC connector that is the same as, or similar toand/or compatible with various devices, such as Android and iOS devicesand corresponding accessory cables. Digital output circuitry 514 mayoutput audio 516 in a digital format.

3.3 Exemplary Block Diagram 600 of Wireless Microphone System 100

As shown in FIG. 12 , radio module 410 of transmitter unit 200 maycommunicate with radio module 502 receiver unit 300 over a wirelesslink. As detailed above, data communication may be implemented over awireless medium, e.g., 2.4 GHz with 128 bit encryption, Wi-Fi (IEEE802.21 family standards), Bluetooth.RTM. (a family of standardspromulgated by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.), or other protocols for wirelessdata communication. In certain embodiments, transmitter unit maytransmit the same audio pack 8 time and have a maximal output RF powerof about 10 mW or less.

Radio modules 410, 502 may include logic 602, 604 configured to, forexample, process audio, controls, and status, such as link status, audiolevel information, battery health, and charge status. Logic 602, 604 maybe a single component or may be implemented as any combination of DSPs,ASICs, FPGAs, CPUs running executable instructions, GPUs runningexecutable instructions, hardwired circuitry, state machines, etc.,without limitation. Therefore, as one example, the logic may beimplemented using an ASIC or an FPGA. In another example, the logic maybe a combination of hardware and software or firmware executed by aprocessor, etc.

Moreover, radio modules 410, 502 may include power amps 606, 608configured to amplify low-power audio signals. Other contemplatedcomponents may include, a tuner and one or more oscillators.

Radio module 410 further includes a link monitor 610 operatively coupledto recorder 416 of transmitter unit 200. Link monitor 610 is operativeto monitor the wireless link connection between the transmitter unit 200and the receiver unit 300. In response to detecting a drop in theconnection by link monitor 610, a recorder, such as recorder 416, may beconfigured to mark an audio peak file, as detailed above.

4.0 Flow Chart 700 of Exemplary Transmitter Unit

FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart 700 of an exemplary transmitter unit ofa wireless microphone system. The method of operation begins and, atstep 702, the transmitter unit receives audio. The audio may be obtainedvia a built-in microphone of the transmitter unit or via an externalmicrophone wired to the transmitter unit.

In step 704, transmitter unit may compress the received audio via, forexample, an encoder. In decision step 706, transmitter unit maydetermine whether to record the audio. If yes, in decision step 708,transmitter unit may determine whether to record the audio in acompressed format. If at decision step 708, transmitter unit determinesthat the compressed audio should be recorded, at step 710, thecompressed audio is recorded. If at decision step 708, transmitter unitdetermines that the raw audio should be recorded, at step 710, the rawaudio is recorded.

If, at decision step 706, transmitter unit determines that no audioshould be recorded or after the audio is recorded in a selected format,in decision step 714, transmitter unit will determine whether totransmit the audio. If yes, in decision step 716, transmitter unit willdetermine whether a receiver unit is available. If, at decision step716, transmitter unit determines that a receiver unit is available, instep 718, the two devices may be paired. In step 720, transmitter unitwill transmit the compressed audio to receiver unit.

In decision 722, transmitter unit will determine whether the connectionlink between transmitter unit and receiver unit has been broken. If, atdecision step 722, transmitter unit determines that the link is notbroken, in decision step 724, transmitter unit will determine if aninput is received to tag, if recorded, the audio file and/or a peakaudio file with a marker.

If, at decision step 722, transmitter unit determines that thecommunication link is broken, in step 724, transmitter unit will tag, ifrecorded, the audio file and/or a peak audio file with a markercorresponding to the dropped connection.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to beunderstood that the forms of the invention shown and described in theapplication are to be taken as examples of embodiments. Components maybe substituted for those illustrated and described in the application,parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of theinvention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to oneskilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of theinvention. Changes may be made in the elements described in theapplication without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas described in the following claims.

1. A microphone system, comprising: an antenna arranged within ahousing; a circuit board including a ground plane, the circuit boardmounted in said housing; a built-in microphone connected to said circuitboard, said built-in microphone protruding from an opening of saidhousing; and a microphone windshield including a connector with abayonet-type mounting connector for removably coupling with a matchingbayonet mount on said housing.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein saidhousing further including a clip adapted to attach to a user’s clothing.3. The system of claim 1, wherein said housing further including one ormore ports for interfacing with one or more external devices.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein a first antenna is a dipole antenna and asecond antenna is a monopole antenna.
 5. The system of claim 4, whereinsaid monopole antenna is an inverted-F antenna running parallel to saidground plane.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein said dipole antenna is afolded dipole antenna including a first conductive element operativelycoupled to a second conductive element.
 7. The system of claim 4,wherein said circuit board further includes a slit configured to receivesaid dipole antenna.
 8. The system of claim 4, wherein said dipoleantenna is decoupled from the ground plane of said circuit board.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said microphone windshield further comprisingone or more layers of noise dampening material.
 10. The system of claim9, wherein one or more layers includes at least one of a foam, flexiblefiber, and faux fur.
 11. A device for transmitting and recording audio,comprising: a circuit board including a ground plane, the ground planeincluding a first side and a second side; a folded dipole antennaoperatively coupled to said circuit board, said antenna having a firstconductive element spaced a predetermined distance from the first sideof the ground plane and a second conductive element spaced apredetermined distance from the second side of the ground plane.
 12. Thedevice of claim 11, wherein each of the conductive elements is L-shapedand includes a horizontal leg and a vertical leg.
 13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein each horizontal leg is less than about thirtymillimeters in length.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein each verticalleg is less than about ten millimeters in length.
 15. The device ofclaim 12, wherein said horizontal legs of said first conductive elementare distanced between about seven millimeters and about ten millimetersfrom the ground plane.
 16. The device of claim 12, wherein said verticallegs of said second conductive element is distanced between about onemillimeter and about two millimeters from the ground plane.
 17. Thedevice of claim 12, wherein a distance between horizontal legs of saidfirst conductive element and vertical legs of said second conductiveelements is between about five millimeter and about fifteen millimeters.18. The device of claim 11, wherein said first and said secondconductive elements are coupled via a coupler, said coupler having alength of about eight millimeters.
 19. The device of claim 11, whereinsaid circuit board further includes a slit configured to receive saiddipole antenna.
 20. The device of claim 11, wherein said circuit boardfurther includes a monopole antenna running parallel to said groundplane.